The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1887-11-10
GOLDEN LEAF TOBACCO.
What it has Done for North Car
Olina.

What it has Done for North Car
Olina.
AN ADDRESS DELIVERED BY COL. wM. H. |
S. BURGwyN, OF HENDERSON, N. c.,
AT THE MT. HOLLY ENCAMPMENT.
The historian, when in duty bound,
in the course of his narrative, to single
out from the great masses Of mankind,
those few who are to be recognized as
benefactors of the human race, has in
no instance, that | recall, chosen as
the object of his laudation the plain,
unpretentions farmer. 'Tis true! all
men, statesmen, orators, poets, authors,
editors, and especially the politician.
never tire Of speaking honeyed words
on the praises of a country life, of the
nobility of the calling, the independ-
ence of the farmer, the importance of
the agricultural interests to the COM
monwealth etc., etc, but the idea of
elevating an humble farmer to the
dignity of a public benefactor seems
not to have been thought of. Having
been invited to deliver an address
during this encampment, | will en-
deavor, in the limited time these ex-
ercises permit, to bring into notice
class of citizens, pursuing the even
tenor of their way, but men, honor
able, noble men, worthy to be esteemed.
benefactors of their State and to do
So ask your attention while briefly
speak on the subject allotted me,
GOLDEN LEAF TOBACCO, ITS ORIGIN AND
HISTORY, AND WHAT 1T HAS DONE
FOR NORTH CAROLINA.
The development of the fine tobacco
interest in North Carolina exhibits one
; of the most remarkable tran>ltions in
the annals of agriculture. 1t reads
like romance Even the matter OF
t fact statistician of the Census Bureau
, finds his enthusiasm aroused as he in
vestigates the subject, and he indulges
il in unwonted panegyric as he tells the
:, story. Its growth was first begun in
= this State by two brothers, Capt. Abb
STA and Thos. Slade, of Caswell coun-
ty, upon a ridge between two small
tributaries of the Dan River. The
!; soil was thin and sandy, and, in COM
parison with the river bottoms, was OF
little value. About i852 or 1858 the
SHADES grew by chance, as they sup
posed, small crop of yellow tobacco
, AS it grew year after year, its PECULIAR
), ties were attributed to special methoc
of culture and curing. They comlnu
nicated this method to all inquirers
c, and it was soon found that soil wa
the chief element, although care in INT
modes of cultivation and curing were
." also found to be necessary to the pro
duction of the best qualities. From
! the plantation of the SHADES its growtl
extended over Caswell county, an(
= along the same side into Pittsylvan
county, Va. This covered almost tn
IL entire area of yellow tobacco cultur
before the civil war, when the produc
ton of tobacco was almost entrel
suspended. The war increased tn
manufacture of tobacco in the NORTH
!, where no tobacco suitable for plug Q
A. wrappers was grown, and at its Close
attention was called to the fitness {
the North Carolina yellow leaf for tn
purpose. The price rose with deman
and the production extended to othe
counties, especially to Person, Grar
\ vile and Rockingham. Granvill
,. and Vance outstrip all competitor
although many other counties hay
entered the list, from BunCombe an
Madison, in the West, where it
rs, grown on the slopes of the Alleg hani'
1000 feet above sea level to II
I coast belt above the sea, vertic
10 range OF $500 feet and a climat
range equivalen. to about 81 degree
. of Latitude. Says that accomplishe
| writer and successful farmer, Maj.
l.. Ragland, of Hyco, Va: Ell
capabilities of Eastern North Carolin
'ry to produce the whitest and finest al
de- highest priced tobacco have not y
uct been developed, but is coming. The
arc are still millions of acres in Virgin
and North Carolina, capable of pr
ducing fancy yellow tobaccos viii
q: have never yet been utilized thereto
ms. and which remain as grand reser
our force to be marshalled to our aid,
ing our necessities require.
SUITABLE SOILS.
Tobacco is plant which deligl
in dry, warm soil, requiring col
d.v paratively little moisture, and in
be respect do these lands differ me
bile widely from others than IN thorou
drainage. There is a difference
J.. opinion as to new lands. In the we
ern counties OF the State, where
. growth of tobacco is quite recent, n
land is almost altogether planted,
in the older counties, planters h:
learned to conserve their old laI
and to raise upon them tobacco of
ON best quality by the judicious use
fertilizers, and no longer depend VI
clearing. All agree, however, tha,
tore, very fine quality OF leaf is grown
c. new lands. Some lands will prod
. a fair fancy wrapper one or two S
: ans Se. sons and never after. 1t is also 6